STEAM Café: Despite Our Nature: Incentivizing Cooperation

Generally, human beings tend to make decisions that maximize personal benefit. This concept of self-interest is considered in scientific modeling as the property of rationality. However, such decisions do not always lead to the best possible outcome. Sometimes, when people act in self-interest it can have a negative impact on the community or organization.

The focus of this informational talk will be to show that the analysis of real-world systems in the context of game theory provides researchers with the power of foresight and mitigation of human impulses with the assumption of rationality. Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interaction between rational decision-makers. It has applications in all fields of social science, as well as in logic and operations research.

Based on an analytical depiction of the real world, researchers can suggest incentives to modify expected human behavior in order to achieve a better outcome. For instance, promoting cooperation when competition would lead to lower payoffs is an invaluable insight for the purpose of improved decision-making. This talk will explore ways science and engineering can help create systems and incentives that encourage people, or computer programs, to make decisions in favor of the community rather than self-interest.

Reviews

"We go to this brewery every time we are in Rapid City. Great beer and everyone is always very friendly."

This place is upscale. Maybe almost too high end for the area with presentation and atmosphere. Yet, sitting down, talking to the staff and understanding gave me something. That being, a piece of home. This is a big city taproom with beer with true craft. A highlight of the trip West!

- Frank - Facebook

"We visited Hay Camp post a trail run at M Hill. We both had the Centennial IPA and it did not disappoint.
The vibe here is cool and relaxed and would be a great place for an event."

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The Flavor Experience

Before it was Rapid City, it was Hay Camp. This historical perspective is maintained at the tavern where commerce is held equal to community. The brewery began in a garage as a bootstrapping... [read more]